England and New Zealand have developed a highly competitive rivalry in T20 International cricket. Both teams have regularly competed at ICC tournaments and bilateral series, producing close finishes, high-scoring matches and memorable performances. England vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in T20
As of September 2026, England and New Zealand have played 31 men’s T20I matches against each other. England have won 18, New Zealand have won 10, while 3 matches ended without a result.
Their latest completed men’s T20I meeting came in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, when England defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Colombo. New Zealand scored 159/7, while England reached 161/6 in 19.3 overs.
England vs New Zealand T20I Head-to-Head Record
| Category | England | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| T20I Matches | 31 | 31 |
| Wins | 18 | 10 |
| Losses | 10 | 18 |
| No Results | 3 | 3 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage* | 64.29% | 35.71% |
Win percentage is calculated from matches that produced a result. England vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in T20
The overall record gives England more victories, although New Zealand have produced several important wins against England, particularly in ICC tournaments.
First T20I Meeting
England and New Zealand first met in men’s T20I cricket during the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 in Durban.
New Zealand won that historic first meeting by five runs. The match established a rivalry that has subsequently featured regular encounters in World Cups and bilateral series.
Since then, both sides have gone through periods of strong performances, with England generally recording more victories in the overall T20I head-to-head record.
England’s Record Against New Zealand
England have won 18 of their 31 T20Is against New Zealand.
One of England’s biggest victories came in the 2023 bilateral series. At Edgbaston, England scored 198/4 in 20 overs before dismissing New Zealand for 103. England therefore won by 95 runs.
England have also enjoyed important victories in ICC tournaments. In the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, England defeated New Zealand by 20 runs.
The English side has often relied on aggressive batting, strong powerplay performances and a varied bowling attack when facing New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Record Against England
England have won 18 of their 31 T20Is against New Zealand.
One of England’s biggest victories came in the 2023 bilateral series. At Edgbaston, England scored 198/4 in 20 overs before dismissing New Zealand for 103. England therefore won by 95 runs.
England have also enjoyed important victories in ICC tournaments. In the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, England defeated New Zealand by 20 runs.
The English side has often relied on aggressive batting, strong powerplay performances and a varied bowling attack when facing New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Record Against England
New Zealand have won 10 of their 31 T20Is against England.
Their first T20I victory over England came in the 2007 World Twenty20, when they won by five runs. New Zealand have also recorded significant wins in subsequent World Cups.
In the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final, New Zealand defeated England by five wickets to reach the final.
New Zealand also won the fourth T20I of the 2023 bilateral series at Trent Bridge, chasing England’s 175/8 with a total of 179/4 and winning by six wickets.
Highest Team Scores
England’s highest T20I score against New Zealand is 241/3, while New Zealand’s highest is 202/5.
Highest T20I Totals
| Team | Highest Score |
|---|---|
| England | 241/3 |
| New Zealand | 202/5 |
England’s 241/3 remains a particularly significant batting performance in this head-to-head rivalry.
Biggest Wins
Both teams have recorded substantial victories against each other.
England’s largest victory by runs was a 95-run win in Manchester in 2023. England scored 198/4 before bowling New Zealand out for 103.
New Zealand’s largest victory by runs was a 74-run win in Birmingham in 2023. New Zealand scored 202/5 before dismissing England for 128.
Biggest Wins by Runs
| Team | Margin | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | 95 runs | 2023 |
| New Zealand | 74 runs | 2023 |
Recent England vs New Zealand T20I Results
The recent head-to-head record includes several important matches:
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Feb 2026 | T20 World Cup Super Eight | England won by 4 wickets |
| 23 Oct 2025 | 3rd T20I | No result |
| 20 Oct 2025 | 2nd T20I | England won by 65 runs |
| 18 Oct 2025 | 1st T20I | No result |
| 5 Sep 2023 | 4th T20I | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| 3 Sep 2023 | 3rd T20I | New Zealand won by 74 runs |
| 1 Sep 2023 | 2nd T20I | England won by 95 runs |
| 30 Aug 2023 | 1st T20I | England won by 7 wickets |
The 2025 bilateral series in New Zealand ended with England winning 1-0, after rain affected the first and third matches. England’s victory in the second T20I came by 65 runs.
2026 T20 World Cup Meeting
The latest completed men’s T20I between England and New Zealand was played on 27 February 2026 during the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand made 159/7 from their 20 overs. England successfully chased the target, reaching 161/6 in 19.3 overs to win by four wickets.
This victory was significant because it extended England’s overall advantage in the T20I head-to-head record.
England vs New Zealand in the T20 World Cup
The teams have also met frequently in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
They have played 8 T20 World Cup matches against each other. England have won 5, while New Zealand have won 3.
T20 World Cup Head-to-Head
| Category | England | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 8 | 8 |
| Wins | 5 | 3 |
| Losses | 3 | 5 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
Their World Cup meetings include the 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
Memorable T20 World Cup Matches
2007: New Zealand Win by Five Runs
The first World Cup meeting between the teams was also their first T20I encounter. New Zealand won by five runs in Durban.
2021: New Zealand Reach the Final
New Zealand produced an important five-wicket victory over England in the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final. The result sent New Zealand into the final.
2022: England Win by 20 Runs
England responded in the 2022 World Cup, defeating New Zealand by 20 runs. This was another important knockout-stage meeting between the sides.
2026: England Win by Four Wickets
In the 2026 World Cup Super Eight stage, England chased New Zealand’s 159/7 and won by four wickets.
Key Individual Records
The England-New Zealand rivalry has featured several prominent international players.
According to available head-to-head statistics, Martin Guptill is the leading run-scorer in England-New Zealand T20 matches, with 471 runs from 15 innings at an average of 31.40.
On the bowling side, Mitchell Santner leads the wicket-taking charts in the available head-to-head statistics, with 22 wickets.
For England, players such as Jonny Bairstow and other top-order batters have produced major performances in the rivalry, while England’s pace and spin options have frequently played important roles.
England vs New Zealand T20I Rivalry: What the Numbers Show
The overall statistics show several interesting features:
- England have won 18 of 31 T20Is.
- New Zealand have won 10.
- Three matches have ended without a result.
- England’s highest total is 241/3.
- New Zealand’s highest total is 202/5.
- England’s biggest win by runs is 95 runs.
- New Zealand’s biggest win by runs is 74 runs.
- Martin Guptill is the leading run-scorer in the available head-to-head statistics.
- Mitchell Santner is the leading wicket-taker in the available head-to-head statistics.
Conclusion
England and New Zealand have built a strong T20I rivalry since their first meeting at the 2007 World Twenty20. By September 2026, the teams had played 31 men’s T20Is, with England winning 18 and New Zealand winning 10, while three matches produced no result.
The rivalry has also been significant at the T20 World Cup, where the teams have met eight times. England hold a 5-3 advantage in those matches.
Recent encounters have remained competitive. England won the 2025 bilateral series in New Zealand 1-0, while their latest completed meeting in the 2026 T20 World Cup ended with England winning by four wickets.
With both teams possessing experienced international players and a history of important tournament meetings, England vs New Zealand remains a notable fixture in T20 cricket.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many T20Is have England and New Zealand played?
England and New Zealand have played 31 men’s T20I matches against each other as of September 2026.
2. Who has won more T20Is between England and New Zealand?
England have won 18 matches, while New Zealand have won 10. Three matches have ended without a result.
3. What is England’s highest T20I score against New Zealand?
England’s highest T20I score against New Zealand is 241/3.
4. What is New Zealand’s highest T20I score against England?
New Zealand’s highest T20I score against England is 202/5, recorded in 2023.
5. When was the latest England vs New Zealand T20I?
The latest completed men’s T20I was played on 27 February 2026 in the T20 World Cup. England defeated New Zealand by four wickets, chasing 159/7 with a score of 161/6.